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Hosokawa-shi No. 4.5, handmade, packet of 10 full size

Hosokawa-shi No. 4.5, handmade, packet of 10 full size

Hosokawa -shi No. 4.5, the highest quality Ogawa Washi, unbleached,
 
Materials: 100% Japanese Tosa Kozo, sunset hibiscus, & soda ash,  
packet of 10 full size sheets,  
Handmade by Hisako Uchiumura, Master of Hosokawa-shi,
made in Ogawa, Saitama, Japan, 
 
Size: approx.  23.62 in x 35.43in (60 x 90cm),
Weight: approx. 0.59oz. (16.88g)
Product No.  U3055N
 
*single sheet (cut in half size x2) available at a charge. 

  • Hosokawa-shi

    The Finest of all Ogawa Washi

    Hosokawa-shi is a durable, glossy, and waterresistant paper used by Edo Period merchants for their account books. It is an exemplar of all Ogawa Washi.

    ​In 1978, the Japanese Government recognized the innovative quality of this handmade paper, and the technique to make it was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Asset.

    In 2014, the traditional technique of making Hosokawa-shi was one of 3 washi techniques from Japan that UNESCO added to their list of Intangible Cultural Heritage (the other two are Sekishu-banshi from Shimane Prefecture and Hon-mino-shi from Gifu Prefecture).  

    In order to maintain the unique texture of Hosokawa-shi, only domestic kozo trees are used, and traditional methods and equipment employed in the execution of the nagashi-suki method of sheet forming. 

  • Paper Maker Information

    Hisako Uchimura, Master of Hosokawa-shi

    Hisako Uchimura is a mentor to apprentices who will carry on the tradition of making Ogawa Washi. 

    She has generously shared her passion for traditional Ogawa Washi to many. She upholds a strict standard in her own paper making, using only the highest quality materials, tools, and the traditional method which is environmentally friendly.

    She is the only one who uses wood fire in Ogawa area to steam up the paper dryer, which is one of the secrets to her graceful paper. Her washi is recognized as one of the finest in Ogawa.  

    Most of her paper - Hosokawa-shi and other Ogawa Washi, including dyed Washi, ‘Kogei-shi’, Graduation Certificates, postcards, Japanese traditional style notebooks, Tanzaku paper for Haiku, and such - are made to order.
     

    Biography.
    Nov. 9th, 2017    Received a letter of appreciation from the Council of National Important 
    Intangible Cultural Asset Holder Groups (An organization under the Agency 
    for Cultural Affairs). 
    2016         Began teaching 9 trainees.
    2015    Took office as the vice-chairperson of the Hosokawa-shi Craftsmen’s Association 
    2014        Hosokawa-shi is added by UNESCO to the Representative List of the 
    Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity 
    2010        Certified as the Saitama Prefectural Traditional Craftsman
    2005        Conducted a Handmade Washi Paper Making Workshop in Hungary. 
    2002        Established Uchimura Washi Studio
    1995-2000    Took the Hosokawa-shi/Ogawa Washi Successors’ Training Course

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